Midland's water security at stake amid wastewater disposal debate

In a bold move, Midland, Texas, is challenging the approval of oil and gas industry wastewater disposal wells near its vital water source.

Vernon Loeb reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Midland contests permits for wastewater wells near its drinking water source, fearing contamination.
The city's challenge, accepted by Texas regulators, underscores the tension between oil industry demands and environmental safety.
A hearing is set for January 2024, spotlighting the broader issue of wastewater disposal in oil-rich regions.

Key quote:

“I think the dangerous part of the architecture is not so much the disposal well. . . it's probably old aging infrastructure that might be in place from the sixties and seventies that’s still operating.”

— Laura Capper, principal consultant for EnergyMakers Advisory Group in Houston.

Why this matters:

This case could set a precedent for how cities safeguard their water resources against industrial threats, a crucial aspect of public health.

Did you know? Chemicals from fracking wastewater dumped into Pennsylvania's Allegheny River continued accumulating in freshwater mussels five years later.

Question for the reader:

How should cities balance industrial development with environmental protection, especially concerning water safety?

AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight and editing.

insideclimatenews.org

Midland's water security at stake amid wastewater disposal debate

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